CURRENT ASTROBIOLOGICAL MISSIONS

Question 1

what telescope helps to try and detect life

Answer 1

• james webb space telescope
• 6.5 metre size enables it to see near infrared to mid infrared light
• can see objects very clearly compared to hubble
• can observe our own solar system, aswell as exoplanet imaging and spectroscopy

Question 2

Missions which have focused on mars exploration

Answer 2

• VIKING (1976) - life detection mission
• MARS PATHFINDER (1997) - geology focus and engineering
  -PHOENIX- looking for ice water and polygynal permafrost terrain- (corrosive surface chemistry)
• MARS EXPLORATION ROVERS- ‘ geologist on mars’ found hydrated minerals and evidence for past liquid water
• rover family

Question 3

what is the ESA Exomars programme

Answer 3

• the trace gas orbiter
• relays information for curiosity and insight lander
• also data from ExoMars rover once it arrives on mars

Question 4

has life ever existed on mars

Answer 4

• most likely in the noachian of all time periods
• clay minerals looked at, due to there well known ability to sequester organic material and preserve it

Question 5

what site will be used to land the exomars rover

Answer 5

• oxia planum
• delta deposit, fe/mg- clay basal unit, opaline silica, fluvial channels

Question 6

what features does the exo mars rover have on the front

Answer 6

• sample delivery window
• drill system
• high res camera
• infrared spectrometer

Question 7

what is the benefit of drilling 2 metres down

Answer 7

• preservation of organic molecules
• organic biosignatures
• improved with depth due to decreasing destruction from radiation

Question 8

what is a recent nasa mission

Answer 8

2020 mars perserverance
- jerezo crater to focus on ancient noachian deposits

Question 9

safe measures in place

Answer 9

• ultraclean environement when assembling these rovers as looking for biosugnatures
• scientists look at spacesuit material to determine better spacesuits for future exploration